Restaurant Review: Martin's Corner, Betalbatim, Goa

Hey from EL The Cook!

We visited Goa recently and explored some of the states cozy restaurants serving some exemplary food.

Today is dedicated to the legendary Martin's Corner, nestled on a quiet by-lane in Betalbatim. But the quietness fizzles away once you step through the wooden fence gate.

Martin's Corner reflects Goa's glorious seafood and the wonderfully rich goan cuisine is stamped on all their courses from entrees to desserts.

Established in 1989 by Mr. Martin and his wife Carafina, the place was meant for local visitors to play carrom and have a soft drink. But Mr. Martins wife Carafina had some sensational recipes under her sleeve and her love for cooking and welcoming guests has made the restaurant one of Goa's most notable landmarks.

Today, Martin's Corner is celebrity frequented. The delicious cuisine invites some of the most upmarket faces in cinema, sport and government. It is truly astonishing how simple home cooking can take you so far. Martin's Corner is an example of good food gone great!

Heres what we had to drink..

From Left to Right..

Corona - A beer that need no introduction, imported from Mexico, a light beer, spiked with a dash of lemon juice..Nothing can be quite compared!

Fresh Lime Soda (Sweet) - What can be better than a refreshing hit of lime. A standard lime soda always appreciated in Goa weather!

Martins Special Cocktail - A smooth blend of feni, sweet pineapple juice, tangy orange juice and a hit of peach schnapps..works like a charm! German and Goan flavours compliment each other beautifully to give a sunset coloured cocktail fit for the beach!

Cosmopolitan - A pretty looking glass, with a sexy looking fluid, the magenta liquid swimming with smooth vodka and triple sec, blended so carefully with cranberry juice and lime cordial is perfect for a lovely lady!

Lemon Mojito - A tangy sway of lemon and mint ice-blended takes you straight to the beach! Uplifting your spirits with a dash of white rum, a cocktail classic!

And then came the food...

MUSSELS RAVA FRY (TOP)

Xinanio (Shinanio) are local mussels found in the backwaters and sea along the Goan coast. At Martin's Corner, they do a fantastic representation of an old classic. The mussels are cleaned and coated in sooji (semolina) with a little local raechado masala, creating a crunchy outer side and a fresh mussel centre on the inside!

SQUIDS MASALA FRY ( BOTTOM)

Squids are an acquired taste. If not prepared well they turn rubbery and chewy. The ones served at Martin's Corner are spectacularly marinated in the local raechado masala, adding a sweet and fiery taste!

The squid are a tad bit overcooked but they taste fabulous and really give you a fresh taste of the sea! 

 VEG CRISPY

A vegetable assortment served with a crispy outer coat is really tasty! The super tangy batter is laced with chinese spices and herbs like spring onions and lemon juice.

The vegetable are amazingly fresh and a shezuan sauce topping only heightens the flavours of crunchy batter, a delicious dish!  

PRAWNS MASALA FRY 

You just can't get enough of seafood when you're in Goa! 

Charming circles of tiger prawns are marinated in that ever so versatile local raechado masala, giving a sweet but super hot flavour to your pallette, just when you decide to pick up another prawn!

An epic dish, the prawns masala fry, reflects the true goan spirit of celebration!

On to desserts...

TENDER COCONUT SOUFFLE

Goa and coconuts have their own romantic love story..From coconut feni to this superb dish! The lightness of the cream and coconut are made to seamlessly blend in a small bowl of souffle!

The sweetness of the coconut shines through giving a naturally sweetened fluffy delight!

This is one of the best fruit souffles we've ever tasted!

CREAM CARAMEL

A sinful looking dessert, Martins Corner's Cream Caramel is a to-die-for dish! Smooth bread pudding is served up with a bitter-sweet caramel topping..One bite into it results in an orgy of flavour on your palette!

The sweet cream heightens the flavour of the pudding giving a superb balanced dessert!

MANGO MOUSSE

A mango mousse served as a cheesecake? Yes please!!

As if the dessert menu isn't delectable enough, Martins Corner puts you through sweet heaven, with this blisteringly cool plate of food!

The smooth mousse has the ever so light flavour of mango laid on a crust of buttered crumb. The balance of flavours is so delicate, that it astonished us how the flavours on the plate scream out "EAT ME,IM GORGEOUS!" without hampering the gentle look!

The tempered chocolate triangle emphasises a dark chocolate mousse like flavour, complimenting the fruitiness so well. Full marks on this dessert!

Martin's Corner, amped up to legendary status by the quality of food and drink served.

We find few places that live up to its name the way Martin's Corner does. Its truly reflects passion for Goan cuisine and gives you an experience you will not forget anytime soon.

Martin's Corner - A Paradise of Authentic Goan Delicacy, the original catch-phrase of the restaurant, describes it too well!